WWW vs. non-WWW in Webflow: What is best?

When setting up a website in Webflow, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether your site should live at example.com (non-WWW) or www.example.com (WWW). While it might seem like a minor detail, this choice affects your URL appearance, technical setup, and potentially how search engines treat your site.

Deciding between WWW and non-WWW formats creates confusion for many Webflow users. Despite countless debates online, there's no universal "right answer" – but there are definitely right approaches based on your specific situation.

This article will help you make an informed decision specifically for Webflow sites, with clear recommendations for both new and existing websites. If you need tailored help configuring your domain settings properly or deciding which is best from an SEO perspective for your specific site, our team can guide you through the process. Just contact us!

Why the WWW vs. non-WWW decision matters for Webflow sites

• SEO considerations: From an SEO perspective, there's no inherent ranking advantage to either option, as long as you choose one and properly redirect the other. Google treats example.com and www.example.com as two distinct URLs unless you explicitly consolidate them.
• Technical configuration: Webflow has specific technical requirements for each approach. Using non-WWW on Webflow requires special DNS setup with CNAME flattening or ALIAS records, while WWW is simpler to implement.
• User experience: Non-WWW domains appear cleaner, shorter, and more modern. Many browsers now hide the "www" prefix in address bars, reflecting its diminishing importance to users.
• Cookie management: For complex sites with multiple subdomains, using WWW can provide better cookie isolation and management, which might matter for large sites or specific technical setups.
• Branding consistency: The domain format you choose appears in marketing materials, social shares, and anywhere your URL is visible, so aesthetic considerations may matter for your brand.

Clear recommendations based on your website situation

For brand-new Webflow sites

If you're building a brand new site with no existing domain presence, our recommendation is:

Default to non-WWW for modern branding even though:

• It requires more advanced DNS configuration
• You'll need a DNS provider that supports CNAME flattening or ALIAS records
• Webflow's Quick Connect feature doesn't support it by default

The benefits of going non-WWW include:

• Cleaner, more modern-looking URLs
• Shorter domain that's easier to remember and type
• More aligned with current web trends (many browsers hide "www" anyway)
• Better aesthetic for marketing materials and brand mentions

Only choose WWW if:

• You don't want to deal with more complex DNS configuration
• Your DNS provider doesn't support CNAME flattening/ALIAS records
• You're using Webflow's Quick Connect feature and prefer the simplest setup
• Technical considerations like cookie management are more important for you

For existing sites migrating to Webflow

Keep your existing format if possible. If your site already has established rankings and backlinks on either WWW or non-WWW, maintain that format when moving to Webflow. Changing formats during migration adds unnecessary complexity and potential SEO disruption.

If your existing site uses non-WWW but you're struggling with Webflow's DNS requirements, consider using Cloudflare for DNS management to support CNAME flattening.

Conclusion

While non-WWW domains require more technical setup in Webflow, they provide a cleaner, more modern appearance that aligns better with current web trends. The extra effort to configure DNS properly is worth it for the improved aesthetics and branding benefits.

What truly matters is choosing one format, implementing it properly, and ensuring the other format redirects correctly. This consolidates your SEO equity and provides a consistent experience for users.

If you're migrating an existing site to Webflow, prioritize maintaining your current domain format to preserve SEO value and avoid unnecessary disruption.

Need help setting up your domain configuration or answering any technical SEO questions on Webflow? Our agency can assist with expert Webflow development and optimization tailored to your specific needs.